Caps Acquire Daniel Winnik For Brooks Laich and Connor Carrick

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Daniel Winnik and a fifth-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft (Anaheim’s selection, previously acquired by Toronto) from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Brooks Laich, defenseman Connor Carrick and a second-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. No salary retention was included for either team.

From the Capitals: “Daniel is a versatile player who plays with grit and can be used in all situations,” MacLellan said. “This move enables us to add some depth to our forward group and balances our lineup. We would like to thank Brooks for all of his contributions to our organization over the past 10 years. Brooks is a true professional and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Winnik, 30, has registered 198 points (62 goals, 136 assists) in 625 career NHL games with Arizona, Colorado, San Jose, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Toronto. The 6’2”, 207-pound forward tallied 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 56 games with the Maple Leafs this season. Winnik ranked second among NHL forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game last season (3:16) and set career highs in assists (25) and points (34).

During the 2013-14 season, he collected a career-high three assists on Dec. 9, 2013, vs. the Islanders and recorded a career-high three game assists streak from Dec. 7 to Dec. 11, 2013 (five assists). The Toronto native was one of three Anaheim players to play in all 48 games during the 2012-13 season and ranked first in the NHL in games played (84) in 2011-12. Winnik set his career high in goals (11) in 2010-11 and 2007-08 and scored the game-winning goal in his NHL debut on Oct. 4, 2007 vs. St. Louis. He was drafted by the Coyotes in the ninth round, 265th overall, in the 2004 NHL Draft. Winnik has earned three assists in 33 career NHL playoff games.

Big piece of this deal for #Caps: they can now add up to $2.2M in annual cap hit tomorrow without going into LTIhttps://t.co/ZC4rX3eP3U

— General Fanager (@generalfanager) February 29, 2016

Brooks Laich, 32, earned 324 points (133 goals, 191 assists) in 743 games with Ottawa and Washington. The 6’2”, 195-pound forward registered seven points (one goal, six assists) in 60 games with the Capitals this season. Laich ranks eighth on the Capitals franchise games played list (742) and seventh on the franchise shorthanded goals list (10). He was drafted by Ottawa in the sixth round, 193rd overall, in the 2001 NHL Draft.

Brooks Laich and Fiance’ Julianne Hough watching the Oscar’s earlier Sunday evening.

Alex Ovechkin wishes Brooks Laich good luck

Connor Carrick, 21, registered six points (one goal, five assists) in 37 career NHL games with Washington. The 5’11”, 194-pound defenseman earned 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 47 games with the Bears (AHL) this season and has recorded 72 points (18 goals, 54 assists) in 133 career AHL games with Hershey. Carrick was drafted by Washington in the fifth round, 137th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.